Elastic band projectile projecting device

ABSTRACT

A projectile projecting gun having a gear arrangement for changing the elevation of the gun barrel. Below the barrel of the gun there are two slidable structures that ride on a track. The forwardmost structure is the unit that receives and propels a projectile. The rearmost structure pulls the forwardmost structure to a projectile receiving position, where, after receiving a projectile, a pivoted portion of the rearmost structure is pivoted so as to release the forwardmost structure so that the latter stucture may propel the projectile. The rearmost structure is pulled along forwardly with the forwardmost structure by a common elastic band, the band furnishing the force necessary to project an object. The rearward movement of the forwardmost structure causes an arm to be cammed away so that one projectile may be positioned in the barrel for firing. The barrel of the gun may be locked in a desired position. After the barrel has been locked in a desired position a separate safety lock may be used to releasably hold the above mentioned lock for the barrel.

United States Patent 1191 Boyd 1451 Nov. 27, 1973 ELASTIC BANDPROJECTILE PROJECTING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Robert A. Boyd, 1974 SewardSt.,

Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 241,500

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerWilliam R. BrowneAtt0rney-Charles Krassov Baer 124/41 X 57] ABSTRACT A projectileprojecting gun having a gear arrangement for changing the elevation ofthe gun barrel. Below the barrel of the gun there are two slidablestructures that ride on a track. The forwardmost structure is the unitthat receives and propels a projectile. The rearmost structure pulls theforwardmost structure to a projectile receiving position, where, afterreceiving a projectile, a pivoted portion of the rearmost structure ispivoted so as to release the forwardmost structure so that the latterstucture may propel the projectile. The rearmost structure is pulledalong forwardly with the forwardmost structure by a common elastic band,the band furnishing the force necessary to project an object, Therearward movement of the forwardmost structure causes an arm to becammed away so that one projectile may be positioned in the barrel forfiring. The barrel of the gun may be locked in a desired position. Afterthe barrel has been locked in a desired position a separate safety lockmay be used to releasably hold the above mentioned lock for the barrel.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 27, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l //7vefl ['Or fFSOBERTA. BOYD I Attorney Patented Nov. 27, 1973 3.774585 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5 FIG. 6

ROBERT A BOYD ELASTIC BAND PROJECTILE PROJECTING DEVICE This inventionrelates generally to toys and particularly to toy guns of the missilefiring type in which the firing power is supplied by the elasticity ofan elastic band.

There are many toy guns on the market at the present time. These featureprimarily the noise factor and the high firing power of the toy, andconsequently, many of these toys are considered a safety hazard to thechild playing with them, and actually have little educational value, afeature which is considered very desirable at the time by parents.

Toy guns are very popular with children, and this invention takesadvantage of this popularity to introduce features into the toy gun tomaintain the childs interest and at the same time to get the childacquainted with several common mechanical movements such as mesh-, inggears, locking devices, pawl units, automatic feeders, trigger action,etc. In the scientific end it demonstrates the trajectory principle ofmissile travel. The nature of the missile used and the power supplied bythe elastic band to propel it does not constitute any danger to thechild nor is there any danger involved any of the toys operations. I r

In describing the invention reference will be made to the attacheddrawings in which, 7

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the invention,

FIG. 3 is section AA through the gun barrel,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the missile feeding mechanism,

FIG. 5 is section B-B showing a detail of the gear locking device,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the gear locking device,

FIG. 7 shows afront view of the elastic tightening device, and

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the above device.

The invention is shown in the drawings, consisting of an elongatedcylindrical gun barrel 1 which is open at both ends. To the rear end ofthe barrel 1, and on each side of it is attached a wall 2 having theshape of a circular segment the bottom round edge of which is pro.-vided with gear teeth 3. The barrel 1 with its attached walls 2, ispivotally supported by two side walls 4,4, which are fixed to a base 5.This base is supported at the rear thereof by a pair of foldawayhorizontal legs 6,6, equipped with pads 7,7. The front of the base 5 isprovided with fixed horizontal legs 8,8, the ends of which are providedwith wheels 9,9.

Fixed to the front end of the barrel 1 is a rectangular bracket 10 whichsupports a round rod 11 located directly below and spaced from thebarrel 1. A trigger block 12 which slides upon the rod 11, is attachedby means of an elastic band 13 to the bracket 10 and is separated fromit by a short spring 14.

The trigger mechanism of the gun consists of two interlockingcomponents; an upper L-shaped part 15 and a lower L-shaped part 17. Thepart 15 is rigidly attached to the block 12 by the horizontal leg of theL. The vertical leg 16 of the L extends upward and is located within thelower part of the barrel 1. A narrow groove 19 is provided in the bottomof the barrel 1 within which slides the leg 16. The lower L-shapedtrigger component 17 is pivotally attached to sliding trigger blockwhich also slides upon the rod 11. The

vertical leg 18 of the trigger part 17 also slides within the groove 19but is relatively shorter than the vertical part 16. The front end ofthe trigger part 17 is attached to the bracket 10 by means of an elasticband 21 which passes freely through a hole 22 in the block 12. To therear of the. trigger part 17 is attached a string 34 by means of whichthe gun is fired.

For loading purposes, the barrel 1 is provided with an open top chamber23 which is an upwardly extended part, of the barrel l and communicateswith it. A spring loaded pivoted flap 24 is located on the outside ofthe chamber 23 and at the bottom of it. A horizontal bend 25 in theupper edge of the flap 24 extends into the chamber 24 through a slot inthe said chamber provided for that purpose. This bend 25 is shaped toengage the trigger mechanism when it reaches the chamber position inorder to release a missile which normally rests upon it, to let it dropinto the said barrel.

The aiming of the gun is done by controlling the trajectory path of thefired missile, and this is done by varying the angle of the gun barrel 1in relation to its base 5. This is accomplished by rotating the handle26 which is attached to a pair of pinions 27,27, which in turn engagethe gear teeth 3,3, on the walls 2,2. After the gunhas been adjusted tothe required angle it is fixed in position by a joined pair of pivotedbars 28,28, which when raised engage the pinions 27,27, and thus preventthem from rotating. The bars 28,28, are kept from dropping by rotating arectangular cross bar 29 to a vertical position. The bar 29 is containedwithin circular holes in the walls 4,4. Normally, this bar is in ahorizontal position thus the bars 28,28, are disengaged from the saidpionions.

It' is obvious that several simpler methods for locking the gun at arequired angle, can be used effectively, however, as previouslyexplained, it is intended to provide as many gadgets to the toy aspossible to keep the child's interest in it, to keep him busy at it, andto get him acquainted with the construction of various mechanisms.

In order to decrease or increase the firing force the elastic band 13 iseither slackened or tightened. This is accomplished by-a mechanismlocated in the bracket 10. It consists of a freely rotating round bar 30located transversely in the bracket 10. A slot 31 is provided in thecenter of the rod 30, through which is inserted the band 13, pinned, andthen wound upon the bar 31, by means of a winder 32. The rod 30 isprevented from unwinding by a pawl arrangement 35 at one end of the saidrod.

The operation of the toy consists of placing several missiles, into thechamber 23. The angle of trajectory is adjusted by rotating the handle26, and then locking the barrel 1 in position by means of the bars 28and 29, as above described. When the firing cord 34 is pulled back, thefollowing actions take place in rapid succession the trigger blocks 12and 20 travel along the bar 11. When the trigger mechanism reaches thechamber 23, the trigger part 16 engages the part 25 thus pushing it outof the said chamber. This causes the lowest missile to drop into thebarrel 1. As the cord 34 is pulled further back, the part 18 of thetrigger strikes against the back boundary of the groove 19 thusdisengaging the hooks of the trigger parts 15 and 17. The tightly drawnband 13, snaps back into its original position at the same time pullingthe trigger mechanism with it. The part 16 hits the rear of the missile33 and fires it out of the gun barrel 1. By readjusting the position ofthe gun in a horizontal plane and the angle of trajectory the gun can bemade to hit the target repeatedly.

The preferred type of missile used is made of a light material, such aswood or hollow plastic, in the shape of a bullet. However, various otherforms of toy missiles can be used or any other small item such as abutton, bottle cap, etc., as long as it fits freely into the said gunbarrel. Furthermore, toy missiles which provide a simulated smoke orexplosive effect can be shot from this gun if small enough to fit freelyinto the gun barrel.

Having described the invention, what I claim is:

l. A toy gun designed to fire a missile in a trajectory path using theelasticity of an elastic band as the source of propelling power,comprising in combination:

a. an elongated tubular gun barrel having a centrally located groove inthe bottom thereof, said barrel being pivotally supported at the rearend thereof by a pair of vertical side walls which are fixed to ahorizontal base,

b. two identical walls, in the shape of circular segments the curvedbottom of which is provided with gear teeth, each one of said segmentedwalls being fixed rigidly to each side of said gun barrel; a pair ofspaced pinions, meshing with the said wall teeth, which, when rotated,raise or lower the free front end of the gun barrel,

c. a device for locking the gun barrel in position, comprising a pair ofspaced pivoted arms, each of said pivoted arms being provided with asingle tooth located directly under said pinions, so that when the saidarms are raised, the said tooth locates itself between the nearest twoadjacent teeth of the pinion and prevents it from further rotation; anda rectangular bar located under and cross-wise to the said arms rotatingfreely in circular holes in the said vertical gun barrel supportingwalls, so that when said rectangular bar is in a vertical position itholds the said arms locked with said pinions,

d. the trigger mechanism consists of an interlocking front trigger partand rear L-shaped trigger part which slide freely upon a horizontal barspaced from, attached and parallel to the underside of the gun barrel,the front trigger part which is of one piece and the rear trigger partwhich consists of a lower rigid part and mounted thereon a pivoted part,said front trigger part and said pivoted part being attached to thefront of the gun barrel by an elastic band, each of said trigger partshaving an L shaped portion with a vertically extending arm projectinginto the gun barrel through the said groove therein, the verticalprojection of the front trigger part pushes and propells a missile outof the gun barrel, the vertical arm of the L of the rear trigger part,upon contact with the rear boundary of said gun barrel groove, unlocksthe parts to release the front trigger part for firing, two elasticbands both attached at their front ends to the front of the gun barrel,the rear end of one of said bands being attached to the front triggerpart and serves as the propellant, the rear end of the other beingattached to the pivoted part of the rear part and serves to reinterlockthe front and rear L-shaped parts after firing,

. means for attaching the front end of the propelling elastic band to,and winding upon it, a rotating rod located at the front of the gunbarrel, and means for preventing said rod from unwinding said lattermentioned means comprising a pawl arrangement at one end of the rod,

g. means for loading the gun with missiles consisting of an oval shapedchamber extending upwardly from the gun barrel and at the rear endthereof having an open top and an open bottom entrance into the gunbarrel, the said chamber having a slot at one side thereof located atits junction with the gun barrel, a spring loaded pivoted flap abuttingone side of said chamber provided with a horizontal bend which slides inand out of said slot serving to hold and release respectively, a missilepositioned above the entry into the gun barrel, said horizontal bendbeing pushed out of said chamber by (the rearward movement of) thetrigger mechanism to allow one missile to drop into the firing positionwithin the gun barrel, and

h. a firing string attached to the pivoted part of the rear trigger partby which the trigger mechanism is pulled towards the rear of the gunbarrel to the po sition where the vertical arm of the rear trigger partcontacts the rear boundary of the said gun barrel groove and unlocksthefront trigger part for firing.

1. A toy gun designed to fire a missile in a trajectory path using theelasticity of an elastic band as the source of propelling power,comprising in combination: a. an elongated tubular gun barrel having acentrally located groove in the bottom thereof, said barrel beingpivotally supported at the rear end thereof by a pair of vertical sidewalls which are fixed to a horizontal base, b. two identical walls, inthe shape of circular segments the curved bottom of which is providedwith gear teeth, each one of said segmented walls being fixed rigidly toeach side of said gun barrel; a pair of spaced pinions, meshing with thesaid wall teeth, which, when rotated, raise or lower the free front endof the gun barrel, c. a device for locking the gun barrel in position,comprising a pair of spaced pivoted arms, each of said pivoted armsbeing provided with a single tooth located directly under said pinions,so that when the said arms are raised, the said tooth locates itselfbetween the nearest two adjacent teeth of the pinion and prevents itfrom further rotation; and a rectangular bar located under andcross-wise to the said arms rotating freely in circular holes in thesaid vertical gun barrel supporting walls, so that when said rectangularbar is in a vertical position it holds the said arms locked with saidpinions, d. the trigger mechanism consists of an interlocking fronttrigger part and rear L-shaped trigger part which slide freely upon ahorizontal bar spaced from, attached and parallel to the underside ofthe gun barrel, the front trigger part which is of one piece and therear trigger part which consists of a lower rigid part and mountedthereon a pivoted part, said front trigger part and said pivoted partbeing attached to the front of the gun barrel by an elastic band, eachof said trigger parts having an L shaped portion with a verticallyextending arm projecting into the gun barrel through the said groovetherein, the vertical projection of the front trigger part pushes andpropells a missile out of the gun barrel, the vertical arm of the L ofthe rear trigger part, upon contact with the rear boundary of said gunbarrel groove, unlocks the parts to release the front trigger part forfiring, two elastic bands both attached at their front ends to the frontof the gun barrel, the rear end of one of said bands being attached tothe front trigger part and serves as the propellant, the rear end of theother being attached to the pivoted part of the rear part and serves toreinterlock the front and rear L-shaped parts after firing, f. means forattaching the front end of the propelling elastic band to, and windingupon it, a rotating rod located at the front of the gun barrel, andmeans for preventing said rod from unwinding said latter mentioned meanscomprising a pawl arrangement at one end of the rod, g. means forloading the gun with missiles consisting of an oval Shaped chamberextending upwardly from the gun barrel and at the rear end thereofhaving an open top and an open bottom entrance into the gun barrel, thesaid chamber having a slot at one side thereof located at its junctionwith the gun barrel, a spring loaded pivoted flap abutting one side ofsaid chamber provided with a horizontal bend which slides in and out ofsaid slot serving to hold and release respectively, a missile positionedabove the entry into the gun barrel, said horizontal bend being pushedout of said chamber by (the rearward movement of) the trigger mechanismto allow one missile to drop into the firing position within the gunbarrel, and h. a firing string attached to the pivoted part of the reartrigger part by which the trigger mechanism is pulled towards the rearof the gun barrel to the position where the vertical arm of the reartrigger part contacts the rear boundary of the said gun barrel grooveand unlocks the front trigger part for firing.